Fun Things to Do in NYC During Mid-Winter Break

Winter break is upon us as New York City public schools get ready to close for a week starting Feb. 16. In lieu of going stir crazy, why not check out one of these fun events? Many venues across town have special activities lined up for the week off of school. here are our 10 picks for what to do with kids in NYC during mid-winter break.

Celebrate Chinese New Year at the Museum of Chinese in America’s Lunar New Year Family Festival. There will be zodiac arts & crafts, dance performances, snacks, and stories inspired by Chinese and Chinese American New Year’s traditions.
This year the annual Kids Week at the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum runs from Feb. 18-24. The theme is Science is Everywhere and kids and their parents can learn how science intersects with art, sports, games, and nature with fun, interactive exhibits, workshops, and performances. All Kids Week activities are free with museum admission.
City Bakery in Chelsea is running its annual Hot Chocolate Festival, where they serve a different flavor of hot chocolate every day. Some of this month’s flavors have been Chili Pepper Hot Chocolate and Banana Peel Hot Chocolate. Upcoming flavors include Tropical Hot Chocolate and Salted Caramel Hot Chocolate. Yum!
NYSCI is launching Engineering Week just in time for mid-winter break. It will start with Civil Engineering Day on Monday, Feb. 19 and there will be activities and tables run by the American Society of Civil Engineers. Kids can also explore coding and robotics in special workshops.
Lego Live will hit South Street Seaport from Feb. 16-18 and there will be tons of Legos to play with and cool workshops for your kids to take. It’s sure to be a brick lover’s dream!
The New-York Historical Society is ready for the week off of school with a lineup of events dedicated to American Presidents. They include a Presidential Scavenger Hunt and various crafts.
NYC Parks kicks into high gear with tons of educational activities for kids this week. Urban Park Rangers offers free programs during “Kids Week” and each borough offers unique events where kids can get hands-on with nature. Check the website to find an event near you
New York International Children’s Film Festival will be celebrating its 21st anniversary, and will run over four weekends from Feb. 23-March 18. The films for children ages 3-18 include animated, live action, and documentary features from over a dozen countries.
If you’re sad about the end of football season don’t worry, the NFL Experience in Times Square is a great way to get your football fix. Check out the immersive exhibits and the 4D theater and even route for your favorite team!
If you love taking pictures, head over to Lincoln Center and check out the incredible balloon exhibit at the New York City Ballet’s lobby. The installation is breathtaking and you will walk away with some seriously Instagrammable moments.

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Adventuring Portal

<a name="m_-1473885667065203258__Hlk72147528"></a>Adventuring Portal runs Dungeons and Dragons (D&amp;D) games for kids.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;We have created a safe online space for tweens and teens to learn and play D&amp;D. Our D&amp;D Summer Camp session are a one-week experience.&nbsp;&nbsp;Monday &ndash; Friday.&nbsp;&nbsp;Each day will be 3 hours of gaming (with 2 breaks build in).&nbsp;&nbsp;15 total gaming hours for $180.&nbsp;&nbsp;If you have played with us before, you are entitled to 10% off.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Need your kids, nieces or nephews, grand kids or neighbor&rsquo;s kids to be occupied for a bit so you can get work done &amp; take care of your to-do list? Maybe your tween or teen is still a bit isolated and craves connection with their peers? Whether your teen/tween has played D&amp;D before or is brand-new to the experience, this safe space brings players together to have fun and solve problems as a team in ways few other online opportunities do. All our games focus on experiential learning.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Our players leave knowing all the basic game play as well as experiencing: teamwork, bravery, compassion, generosity, negotiation, improvisation, gamer etiquette, strategy, critical thinking, problem solving, cartography and probability - all through online D&amp;D adventuring! We are an inclusive organization and welcome gamers who are LGBTQIA+ and those on any spectrum.&nbsp; All girls&rsquo; groups available.&nbsp; I am a parent, a certified elementary school and middle school math teacher and last summer in the midst of the mess started&nbsp;Adventuring Portal, an&nbsp;online Dungeons &amp; Dragons&nbsp;business&nbsp;for kids. There are so many benefits to playing D&amp;D and I hope you will consider us as a great way for your child to safely socialize, grow as people and have a great time.

The School at the Mark Morris Dance Center

The School at the Mark Morris Dance Center offers year-round, community-based dance and music programming in a fully inclusive and nurturing environment, located in the heart of the Brooklyn Cultural District. The School&rsquo;s diverse and professional faculty provides progressive and non-competitive instruction with all of our classes accompanied by live music. Though we are a non-recital school, there are opportunities for students to perform and for parents to see their dancers in action.

Polaris Productions Theater Camp

Kids will learn, rehearse, and perform the wonderful Maurice Sendak and Carole King musical, Really Rosie. For 10 weekdays, campers will take part in physical and vocal warm-ups and learn choreography, staging, and vocal parts. They&rsquo;ll develop skills in acting, singing, character development, and more. This camp will ignite your child&rsquo;s imagination and passion for performing, build their self-esteem, and help them form lasting friendships. They&rsquo;ll have fun! At camp&rsquo;s end, the kids will perform Really Rosie for family members and friends. Kids of all levels of experience, ages 8 through 13, are welcome to join.